Taraji P. Henson Stars in ‘Above the Fold’

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Elizabeth Doran, Executive Director) announced Academy Award and Emmy nominee Taraji P. Henson (“Person of Interest” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) will star as “Jane” in the World Premiere of “Above the Fold,” the fourth production of its 2013 – 2014 Season. Written by Bernard Weinraub and directed by Steven Robman, ATF tells the story of Jane, an African-American newspaper reporter from New York, who flies to a Southern university where three white fraternity boys have been accused of raping a young African-American woman.

Taking place amidst the shift from print to digital journalism ATF asks tough questions about the exploitation of tragedy, the cost of success and the dangers that come when ambition collides with truth.

The cast of ATF will feature Kristi Johnson, who returns to The Pasadena Playhouse in the role of “Monique” after starring in the Playhouse productions of Jitney and Intimate Apparel. Johnson’s television credits include “Hart of Dixie,” “General Hospital,” and “House M.D.”

The cast also features Arye Gross as “Marvin,” who is currently performing in “Parfumerie” at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. Gross is also a series regular on ABC’s “Castle” and was a series regular on “The Ellen Show.” Kris Higgins appears as “Victor”. Higgins’s television credits include “Secret Life of the American Teenager ,“NCIS,” and “Cold Case.” Mark Hildreth, a series regular on “Resurrection” will play the role of “Lorne”. Joe Massingill , whose credits include series regular on “Hart of Dixie,” and roles in “Epic” and “Trouble With The Curve will play the role of“Bobby”and Seamus Mulcahy, whose credits include “Killing Lincoln” and “One Fall” will play the role of “Eric”.

Sheldon Epps, artistic director of The Pasadena Playhouse, says, “I am tremendously excited about mounting the first production of this play which we developed in our Hothouse series. The play is timely, resonant, hard hitting, and surprising. Bernie writes of a world that he knows very well, so it provides a fascinating insider’s look at the intricacies and the sometimes dangerous aspects of the world of journalism. It is always a challenging pleasure to help give birth to new work and I look forward to both the process and to what I know will be the exciting rewards of having this play on our stage.”

“If you’ve ever wondered how much a news story is affected by the whims and biases of even the most scrupulous reporter, check out this play,” said Robman

“All the actors, led by Taraji, give such depth and meaning to their roles. They’re supremely talented. And I’m deeply grateful to every one of them,” added Weinraub

Henson earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress opposite Brad Pitt in David Fincher’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. She is a 2011 Emmy nominee for Best Actress in a Movie or Miniseries for Lifetime’s Taken From Me. She starred as Detective Joss Carter in the highly rated J.J. Abrams crime drama Person of Interest for CBS opposite Jim Caviezel and Michael Emerson. Henson starred in the major hit Think Like a Man, which opened #1 at the box office and just completed Think Like a Man Too. She will next star in Sony’s No Good Deed opposite Idris Elba which opens in September 2014.

ATF will play January 28 – February 23, 2014. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, Calif., 91101. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at 626-356-7529 or by visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Tuesday – Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. during non-performance dates. On performance dates the Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.